A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chumphon vs. Mashiko for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chumphon or Mashiko?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chumphon or Mashiko? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Chumphon or Mashiko?

Chumphon

Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.

Mashiko

Mashiko is a town in Japan famous for its pottery, called "Mashiko yaki." Large noborigama kilns were first brought to the area in 1853 by immigrant potters from a neighboring community in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is also home to the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, as well as the shrine of the Utsunomiya han.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chumphon and Mashiko, we can see that Mashiko is more expensive. And not only is Chumphon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chumphon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chumphon and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mashiko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mashiko than you might in Chumphon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chumphon Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chumphon or Mashiko?

Chumphon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Chumphon and Mashiko, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chumphon or Mashiko?

Mashiko has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chumphon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chumphon or Mashiko in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chumphon and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chumphon year-round. Also, many visitors come to Mashiko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chumphon is generally a little warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Chumphon average around 28°C (82°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Chumphon usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during summer. Chumphon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun in the summer.

Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chumphon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chumphon usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Chumphon gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chumphon or Mashiko in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chumphon as well as Mashiko. Chumphon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.

Chumphon is much warmer than Mashiko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chumphon averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mashiko fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Chumphon often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Chumphon gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Mashiko. Chumphon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chumphon usually gets more rain in October than Mashiko. Chumphon gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chumphon or Mashiko in the Winter?

Both Mashiko and Chumphon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chumphon throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Mashiko can be very cold. In the winter, Chumphon is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chumphon in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Mashiko averages at about 3°C (38°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chumphon. Chumphon usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during winter. Chumphon gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chumphon usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Chumphon gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chumphon or Mashiko in the Spring?

Both Mashiko and Chumphon during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chumphon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.

In April, Chumphon is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Chumphon average around 29°C (84°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Chumphon. In the spring, Chumphon often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Chumphon gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun.

Mashiko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chumphon usually gets less rain in April than Mashiko. Chumphon gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mashiko and Chumphon